- European Commission urges national governments to appoint AI regulators to enforce compliance with the AI Act.
- Compliance oversight will be conducted by national authorities supported by the Commission’s AI office.
- Member states have a 12-month deadline to establish national regulators forming the AI Board to harmonize legal approaches.
- AI Act is expected to enter into force in June with bans on prohibited practices by year-end and regulations for high-risk systems in three years.
- Recruitment is underway for policy and technical roles at the AI Office, with a tentative employment start in autumn.
- The commission will initiate head selection for the AI Office upon full approval of the AI Act.
Main AI News:
In a move to reinforce adherence to the AI Act, Roberto Viola, the director-general of the European Commission’s digital unit, disclosed plans for national governments to appoint their AI regulators. Viola emphasized that compliance with the AI Act, devised to regulate AI based on risk assessment, will be overseen by national authorities within member states, supported by the AI office, a division within the Commission.
Member states are allotted a 12-month window to establish their respective regulatory bodies, which will collectively form the AI Board. This board is envisioned to streamline legal approaches across the EU bloc.
Viola articulated during a conference organized by the European Parliament and Renew Europe, “The AI Board will rely on representatives from member states. I will be reaching out to countries, urging them to designate representatives for the board, even preceding the Act’s implementation.”
He underscored the Commission’s commitment to meeting deadlines, drawing a parallel with the expeditious establishment of the Digital Services Act board.
Euronews recently reported that countries are still in the nascent stages of determining the most suitable regulatory body to oversee compliance.
As the Commission anticipates the AI Act’s inclusion in the EU’s Official Journal, slated for June, it expects bans on prohibited AI practices to be enforced by the year’s end. General-purpose AI regulations will come into effect one year post-enactment, scheduled for June 2025, with obligations for high-risk systems taking effect three years thereafter.
Recruitment efforts for policy and technical roles at the AI Office are already underway, with a deadline for applications set for March 27. Prospective employment is tentatively projected to commence from autumn, as per job advertisements.
Viola noted a significant influx of applications, affirming, “There is substantial interest in contributing to the positive side. We aim to swiftly ramp up staffing levels, potentially reaching 100 staff.”
The Commission disclosed plans to initiate the selection process for the AI Office’s head upon the full approval of the AI Act.
Conclusion:
The European Commission’s call for the appointment of AI regulators and the impending enforcement of the AI Act signify a significant shift in the regulatory landscape within the EU. This move underscores the Commission’s proactive approach towards regulating AI technologies, ensuring compliance, and fostering a standardized legal framework across member states. For businesses operating within the EU market, this emphasizes the increasing importance of understanding and adhering to AI regulations to navigate potential compliance requirements and mitigate regulatory risks effectively.
